Jacoby Ellsbury, a free agent after 2013, could be an attractive trade chip for the Boston Red Sox. / Brad Penner-US PRESSWIRE US PRESSWIRE

by Paul White, USA TODAY Sports

by Paul White, USA TODAY Sports

In some cases, their impending moves to new teams are widely anticipated. For others, it will require some imagination and a healthy dose of adventure.

But here are 10 players who could - or should - be traded at this week's winter meetings and beyond:

R.A. Dickey, Mets: The veteran knuckleball whiz emerges as the most dependable short-term (and who knows how long the 38-year-old can keep flipping that floater?) pitching option via trade or free agency. Where else can you find a Cy Young Award winner with little or none of the injury risk that comes with any pitcher acquisition?

Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox: Boston is coming off a disastrous season but the AL East has become vulnerable, a trend Toronto is trying to seize on. In a year numerous teams are fixated on center fielders and leadoff hitters, the Red Sox can accelerate their return by moving a player they could have trouble retaining when his contract runs out after next season.

James Shields, Rays: Other teams will haggle for the younger Jeremy Hellickson â?? and don't rule him out of trade talks â?? but Shields is the logical innings-eating veteran to move into one of the top couple of rotation spots for a team looking to win now. The Rays need to snag some young hitters to break their vicious and increasingly iffy cycle of bargain shopping for bats.

Danny Espinosa, Nationals: The focus is on Washington trading an outfielder in the wake of its Denard Span acquisition, but a middle infielder with pop is more marketable. Besides, the organization is awash in infield prospects and Steve Lombardozzi, a favorite of manager Davey Johnson, is at least a short-term fill-in if Espinosa leaves.

Alex Gordon, Royals: One of their talented bats has to go for the significant pitching upgrade they need to become a factor in the AL Central. Gordon has established himself and, with three years and $31.5 million left on his contract, he could fetch a solid return. Plus, his left field spot would be easier for Kansas City to fill than other options like, say, third base should they move Mike Moustakas.

Curtis Granderson, Yankees: They're serious about reducing payroll. The power vs. strikeouts dilemma that is Granderson would be tough for them to justify re-signing after next season. It might require picking up some of the $15 million he has coming this year, but that could be enough to procure some younger, cheaper talent. Plus, they can move Brett Gardner to center field and dip into the easier-to-fill corner-outfield market

Ian Kinsler, Rangers: Remember the angst of dealing with fading franchise favorite Michael Young? They could get ahead of the curve on this one, especially with the need to find room for Jurickson Profar alongside Elvis Andrus in the middle of infield. Any team trading for Kinsler would be inheriting the five-year, $75 million extension he signed last April.

Carlos Marmol, Cubs: The signing of Japanese reliever Kyuji Fujikawa makes the Cubs a willing participant on the always trendy closers market. Marmol is younger and healthier than a lot of the options out there.

Justin Morneau, Twins: They've hit rock bottom and they know it. The timing is right now that Morneau has shown for a season that his concussion issues are gone. He's worth more now than at the trading deadline in the upcoming final year of his deal.

Alfonso Soriano, Cubs: Ever since Toronto traded Vernon Wells to the Angels in 2011, GMs believe anything is possible. Soriano's payroll-crippling deal is down to two seasons and $19 million per and, while the Cubs still would have to cover some of it, the contract is a bit more palatable to other teams, especially with Soriano coming off a 108-RBI season, a high for his six Chicago seasons, and his best overall year since the deal's first two seasons (2007-08).